Matching gift prompts impressive return

Pilot, philanthropist, and longtime AOPA supporter Bennett Dorrance issued a challenge, and donors responded with one of the most successful campaigns in AOPA Foundation history.

Dorrance pledged to match $60,000 in donations to the AOPA Foundation, and AOPA members responded with that and more, adding $300,000 to the $60,000 donated by Dorrance.

AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg said donors “responded with amazing generosity,” providing funds that are critical to the AOPA Foundation’s mission in an amount that “greatly exceeded our expectations” for the 2012 campaign.

Tax-deductible donations to the AOPA Foundation support an array of initiatives and activities, all geared toward preserving the freedom to fly. The foundation supports the Air Safety Institute, which conducts safety seminars and research, and has produced a broad catalog of online courses, safety quizzes, videos, and other training products. The funds raised will also go toward efforts to support the Center to Advance the Pilot Community, protect endangered airports, and support the foundation’s new Giving Back initiative, which supports student pilot scholarships and youth and military memberships, and grants funds to nonprofits doing good work through general aviation.

Dorrance, a member, is also the developer of Scottsdale Hangar One in Scottsdale, Ariz. The AOPA Foundation relies on donations from those who believe that general aviation is worth protecting and preserving. Your contributions help the foundation take on the difficult challenges affecting pilots and aircraft owners that membership dues alone cannot support. Play your part and donate today at www.AOPAFoundation.org.